The most optimistic country in the survey is Italy (78% believe middle ground can be found), followed by Great Britain (77%), France (69%), Lebanon (68%), and the US (64%). Indonesia is the most pessimistic, with 51% believing violent conflict is inevitable.

However, 28% believe violent conflict is inevitable, even if most (58%)believe this is due to intolerant minorities.

Polls are always difficult to read in isolation. However, the positive results for some of the European countries, Britain included, show that perhaps most people are more tolerant and optimistic that sometimes appears to be the case when we watch our televisions or read our newspapers.